Hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-HCHP’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hibiscus  plant named ‘DUP-HCHP’ characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, very upright habit appropriate for container production and culture, freely flowering habit and large to very large flowers having a dull dark red eye which extends to one quarter the diameter of the flower, with the body being a medium red with white veins extending to two thirds the flower diameter. The edge of each petal is ruffled, and the petals shallowly overlap, giving the effect of a windmill.

Latin name of the genus and species: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

Variety denomination: ‘DUP-HCHP’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ifHibiscus, botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘DUP-HCHP’.

Hibiscus have been the subject of human admiration for centuries. Whilethe ancestry of present rosa-sinensis hybrids is not precisely known,today's hybrids are thought to be the products of interspecific crossesinvolving Hawaiian, Polynesian and Asian species, among others, some ofwhich may no longer be found in the wild, if at all. It is thought thatthe first Hibiscus identified as a ‘rosa-sinensis’ was a double red formof uncertain origin found in cultivation in China, India and Polynesia,to be later introduced to Hawaii from Polynesia. It is known to havebeen grown in Europe during the Victorian era. Eventually, it wasintroduced to the continental United States where it was cultivatedoutdoors in the Deep South as well as in regions having subtropical orMediterranean climates (Florida and Southern California, respectively).Indoor cultivation took place in the temperate regions of the U.S. It isspeculated that the original ‘rosa-sinensis’ is actually a specieshybrid, possibly naturally arising, involving two or more species.Regardless, present day hybrids are descended from the original doubleform, and are thought to include additional species such as Hibiscusliliiflorus, H. arnottianus, H. schizopetalus, and other species, knownand unknown, some of which are no longer found in the wild, if at all.Today, after decades of extensive hybridization, the moniker‘rosa-sinensis’ almost certainly denotes complex interspecific hybrids.Such hybrids are usually far removed from their species ancestors inform and color. Flowers of spectacular size, color intensity and, in thelast several decades, ringed and spotted patterns have been produced byU.S. hybridizers in Louisiana, Florida, Texas and elsewhere. Otherhotbeds of activity include Australia, and more recently, Tahiti.Today's flowers are removed from their species ancestors to such anextent that it is almost impossible to unravel the species componentcontributions which comprise a modern hybrid Hibiscus.

However, despite the fact that extensive hybridization was giving riseto larger blossoms and more intense colors, few early hybrids attractedthe attention of large scale propagators. While the flowers were some ofthe most impressive in the entire plant world, hybridizer selection forbloom characteristics alone resulted in weak, short-lived plants. Manyvarieties were difficult to root from cuttings, and even if they didroot, many varieties, when grown on their own roots, were extremelysusceptible to fungal and bacterial root rots. Some grew acceptably onlyas grafted plants. However, grafted plants suffer from a seriousdisadvantage in that the quality of the graft generally determines thequality of the plant, making the production of uniformly vigorous plantsa difficult task. Furthermore, after several years, it is common forgrafted plants to develop stresses at the graft union due to the unequalgrowth rates of the rootstock and the scion. Such stresses caneventually lead to loss of vigor and death of the plant. Moreover,grafting does not completely cure the problem of root rot; surprisingly,the rootstock, when grafted to a root-rot susceptible scion wasgenerally still more likely to suffer rot than a plant of the rootstockvariety. For example, a plant of ‘Seminole Pink’, a garden varietycommonly used as a rootstock, is highly resistant to root rot. However,when ‘Seminole Pink’ is used as a rootstock for ‘Romeo’, a modern hybridwhich is prone to root rot, the grafted plant, while less susceptiblethan ‘Romeo’, is more susceptible than a plant of ‘Seminole Pink’.Another disadvantage of grafted plants is the introduction of virusesinto the scion from the rootstock. Rootstock varieties are almostinvariably old garden varieties which, over the years, have becomeinfected with multiple viruses. While the performance of such vigorousgarden varieties may be largely unaffected by the virus infection, thehybrid scion of grafted plants were usually significantly less vigorousthan the garden variety rootstock, and virus infection from therootstock resulted in a weak plant. The problem only increased withsuccessive generations of grafting, resulting in a general weakening ofa given variety over time.

As a result, the flower production of many modern hybrids was generallysparse with a high number of deformed blooms. Furthermore, buds oftentook relatively long times to reach blooming stage, and it was notuncommon to wait with anticipation while a bud swelled day by day, onlyto be disappointed when the mature bud toppled from its pedicel on theday it was to open. Moreover because of hybridizer emphasis on theflower, the plant was often relatively slow growing and sparsely clothedin leaves.

Such characteristics left Hibiscus with the reputation that, despite themesmerizing beauty of the flowers, they were for collectors who had timeto attend to the seemingly exacting requirements of the plants. As aresult, while new varieties were produced by hobbyists yearly,commercial scale propagation of modern hybrids was generally rare.Common garden varieties (‘Seminole Pink’, ‘Brilliant’, ‘President’,‘Painted Lady’, ‘Butterfly’, ‘Lagos’ and others), which are easy toroot, fast growing, and tolerant of a wide range of growing conditionswere the only Hibiscus widely available. The “exotics” have generallybeen commercially impractical, and thus, of little interest tocommercial growers.

Many new varieties of Hibiscus which represent a vast improvement inrosa-sinensis hybrids, have been produced by an intense hybridizingprogram conducted by the Inventor at his commercial nursery inPlaquemine, La. The objective of the program has been to producevarieties of Hibiscus which root easily under commercial rootingconditions, grow well on their own roots, maturing rapidly intowell-leaved, commercially salable plants under commercial greenhouseconditions. Further objectives are to produce Hibiscus cultivars asaforementioned, having large-flowers with unique and desirable flowercharacteristics, such as size, color intensity and pattern. ‘DUP-HCHP’was produced by crossing the cultivar ‘Rebellious Spirit’ (pollenparent) with the cultivar ‘Madame Dupont’ (seed parent). The instantplant was found among the progeny of the stated cross. The instant plantdiffers from its parents and other hybrid Hibiscus primarily in flowercolor. The instant plant generally differs from other hybrid Hibiscuscultivars in that it roots at a higher percentage of cuttings undercommercial rooting conditions, and it grows well on its own roots.

Asexual reproduction of the new Hibiscus by hard wood, semi hardwood,and terminal cuttings used in a controlled environment in Plaquemine,La., has shown that the unique features of this new Hibiscus are stableand reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DUP-HCHP’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental variables. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variationsin environment such as temperature, light intensity, nutrition and waterstatus without, however, any variation in genotype. For example, duringcooler weather, flowers may demonstrate an increased intensity in pinktones, particularly in the lighter colored edge zone. Furthermore, aswith many varieties of Hibiscus, cooler weather can result in a decreasein flower diameter, and a corresponding reduction in size of sepals andpistil. Moreover, as indicated below, plant characteristics vary greatlywith culture, with internode spacings often increasing in warmer weatherand with higher fixed nitrogen soil content. Plants grown at highertemperatures also exhibit a faster rate of growth. In general the plantused in the following description was grown at temperatures which neverdipped below 55° F. Because the Inventor's one gallon plants are grownfor an average time of about 5.5 to 6 months prior to sale, and the 10inch pot plants are grown for a average time of about 7 to 8 monthsprior to sale, it is difficult to provide a precise temperature profilerequired to give the average plant measurements described in the belowdescription. The growing period can encompass several seasons, withseasonal fluctuations in high/low temperatures as well as photo period.It is expected that the daily high temperature ranged from about 70° F.to about 95° F., and the daily low temperature, which never dipped below55° F., ranged from about 65° F. to about 80° F.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘DUP-HCHP’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘DUP-HCHP’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Glossy, dark green leaves.    -   2. Very upright habit appropriate for container production and        culture.    -   3. Freely flowering habit.    -   4. Large to very large flowers having a dull dark red eye which        extends to one quarter the diameter of the flower, with the body        being a medium red with white veins extending to two thirds the        flower diameter. The edge of each petal is ruffled, and the        petals shallowly overlap, giving the effect of a windmill.    -   5. The plant is at least as free-flowering as each parent, and        has been found to root more easily under greenhouse conditions        than either parent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH(S)

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Hibiscus, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describethe colors of the new Hibiscus.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a single plant of ‘DUP-HCHP’in a standard 1 gallon nursery pot.

The photograph on the second sheet comprises a profile of the flowerdemonstrating the proportions of the pistil compared to the bloomdiameter. The calyx is clearly visible.

The photograph on the third sheet is a representative mature leaf of‘DUP-HCHP’.

The photograph on the fourth sheet is of the front of the bloom.

The photograph on the fifth sheet is a view of the reverse of the bloom.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to the RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations,measurements, and values describe plants grown in Plaquemine, La., withone plant per 1 gallon container. Plants used for the description wereplants in standard 1 gallon pots and were about 23 weeks old.

-   Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Madame Dupont (not patented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Rebellious Spirit (not patented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Cuttings ‘DUP-HCHP’ has been propagated by taking            hardwood, semi hardwood, and tip cuttings, with semi            hardwood preferred. It should be noted that many methods of            asexual propagation, such as tissue culture and other            cloning processes, can be expected to show some degree of            success in the propagation of the present cultivar,            although. However, of the methods tried by the inventor, the            use of semi hardwood cutting has given the greatest yield of            commercially salable plants. Asexual propagation has            resulted in plants which have the flower and plant            characteristics of the original ‘DUP-HCHP’ plant, and thus            the variety is stable.

Cuttings from ‘DUP-HCHP’ generally root well under commercial greenhouseconditions. While greenhouse conditions such as relative humidity andother factors such as cutting age prior to planting affect the take, itis not unusual to get a take of almost 100%. Please note that assuccessive generations of cuttings are raised, the raiser may experiencea drop in take due to the incorporation of virus, particularly if atsome point grafted plants are prepared, and cuttings are taken from sucha plant.

-   -   -   Time to initiate roots.—An average time of initiation at            approximately 22° C. is approximately six weeks, with            slightly longer times during winter at comparable            temperatures, and slightly shorter during summer at            comparable temperatures.        -   Time to develop roots.—An average time, at approximately 22°            C., of development of a root system after initiation, is            approximately six weeks, with slightly longer times during            winter at comparable temperatures, and slightly shorter            during summer at comparable temperatures. It should be noted            that root initiation and development can be affected by            greenhouse conditions, biological stressors such as disease            organisms, as well as environmental stressors such as low or            variant relative humidity, over- and under-watering,            temperature variations or high or low constant temperatures.            Thus, rooting times can be shorter or longer than the times            given above depending on the values of many different            characteristics during the rooting process known in the art.        -   Root description.—Fibrous and well-branched.

-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habits.—Perennial evergreen having            Very upright, rangy growth. Generally somewhat compact, but            internodal space can be dependent upon greenhouse            temperature time profile, fertilizer level, and other            factors.        -   Branching habit.—Sparsely-branched, having approximately 2-3            laterals when a single stem plant is pinched back to a 5            inch height.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of flowers.—A salable plant            in a 1 gallon pot can be approximately 10 inches high and 10            inches wide. Please note that cultural variables such as            greenhouse temperature time profile, fertilizer time            profile, and other factors can cause significant variation            from the above values.        -   Lateral branch description.—The average branch            characteristics of a salable 1 gallon plant: Average Length:            approximately 6″. Average Diameter: approximately 0.6 cm            measured at the transition from green to woody stem texture.            Texture: Immature, smooth; mature, woody and rough. Color:            Immature: Green, more green than 147A. Mature: Brownish            gray, close to 200C with 197A overtones.

-   Mature foliage description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, single; numerous; symmetrical.        -   Length.—Approximately 10.6 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 9.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Rounded to near cordate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Roughly entire.        -   Texture.—Upper surface: glabrous, rugose; lower surface:            glabrous, rugose.        -   Color.—Young foliage, upper surface: More green than 147A;            very glossy. Mature foliage, upper surface: Generally darker            than 147A; glossy. Typical color of undersurface of mature            leaf: 147A. Typical color of undersurface of immature leaf:            more yellow than 147A.        -   Shape of typical foliage base.—Rounded to cordate.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: 3.7 cm. Average Diameter: 0.5 cm.            Texture: Fine pubescence on upper surface; lower surface,            glabrous. Typical petiole color: 147A. Color: Dark greenish            brown; close to 200A with undertones of 147A.

It should be noted that as with other plant growth characteristicsfoliage color and size can vary somewhat with fertilization regimen,greenhouse temperature, day length, and other conditions of culture.

-   Flower description:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—Year round, with number and size            reduction in extended periods of cold weather, such as            daytime temperatures of less than 60° C. Extreme heat can            slow growth and flower production.        -   Flower arrangement.—Flowers arranged singly at terminal leaf            axils. Very free-flowering, with usually about two or three            developing flower buds per lateral branch, flowers face            mostly upright.        -   Flower appearance.—Large, rounded single flowers. Petals            overlap shallowly and are tilted out of the plane of the            flower, giving a windmill appearance. Flowers are open for            one to two days before senescence, which is often            accompanied by partial or full petal closure. Flowers            persistent.        -   Flower diameter.—‘DUP-HCHP’ flowers are generally in the            range of from about 7.5 10″ when fully open, with largest            flowers produced during warm weather (for example, day and            night time temperatures above 73° F.        -   Flower depth.—Flower depth was measured to average            approximately 5.6 cm. Flower depth was measured after            removal of a petal and a sepal to expose the base of the            pistil. The measurement was taken on a fully opened flower            in the direction of the pistil, from the base of the ovaries            to the maximum height of the flower petal, which is the            point of recurvature of the petal. It should be noted that            Hibiscus blossoms can flatten out during the day, or            increase or decrease in curvature or degree of petal reflex            during the day, and thus variance from the foregoing value            is possible.        -   Flower bud (just before showing color).—Rate of opening: 1-2            days. Rate of opening is generally faster in warmer weather.            Flower bud dimensions were measured on a bud which was            approximately one day from opening. The measurements were as            follows. Bud length was measured from the abscission zone            where bud and peduncle meet to the tip of the bud. The            average length of a bud which is one day from opening is            approximately 10.0 cm. Bud diameter was measured at the            widest part of the bud, an area approximately halfway up the            outside of the developing petals. The average diameter of a            bud which is one day from opening is approximately 2.6 cm.            It should be noted that bud dimensions can vary somewhat            with cultural conditions, and variations can even be            observed in buds which are at the same stage of development.            Shape: acuminate. Typical color of unopened bud: More green            than 147A.        -   Petals.—Texture: Smooth, satiny, rugose. Arrangement: The            corolla consists of five petals arranged in a whorl, having            regular partial overlap, which is shallow when the flower is            fully open. Shape: roughly spatulate, with a rounded apex            and a truncate base. The margin of each petal undulate and            entire, such that the margin of the flower appears to be            undulate, and the overlap is such that the flower margin            appears to be a 5-pointed star, with indentations at the            point where the flower margin changes from one petal to the            adjacent petal. A representative length was measured to be            12.8 cm, and was taken from the base of the petal to the            farthest point on the margin opposite the base. A            representative width is 9.9 cm, and was measured            perpendicularly to the pistil at the widest point of the            petal. Petal size can vary with cultural conditions, such as            temperature, and thus the flower size and shape can vary as            well. Often, flowers which are produced at colder            temperatures are smaller and appear more fully overlapped,            giving almost a wheel-shaped appearance. When fully open,            the edges of ‘DUP-HCHP’ flowers often recurve stiffly.

The color of a warm weather flower is described below. It has beenobserved that colder temperatures can result in the stronger expressionof pink tones, especially in pink regions of each petal.

It should be noted that the colors of Hibiscus are among the mostchangeable of all flowers. A newly opening morning bloom generally hasthe most intense coloration, but as the flower flattens out and isexposed to the sun, many pigments begin to fade immediately, resultingin a flower which can look like a different variety altogether. Theflower of ‘DUP-HCHP’ can fade to a dull red edge and body. The morningcolors are described below. Color: Upper surface: Margin: 40B. Center:,41A; veins 49D. Base: 46A. Lower surface: Overlapping side: 19C.Underlapping side: 43D. Venation: 10D.

-   -   -   Sepals.—Unlike the petals, sepals are relatively invariant            in color. Their size can be affected by same cultural            conditions which affect flower size, They are generally            smooth and elongated oblong with acute apices (pointed            tips). They are fused at the long edges into a cupped calyx            bearing at its brim the five pointed tips. When the petals            of the flower spread open, the five pointed tips, which are            flush with the backs of the opening petals, are forced into            a radiating five point star-shaped configuration, which can            be observed on the profile and reverse pictures. A            representative width, which is measured perpendicularly to            the long axis of the sepal a at the position on the sepal at            which the oblong edges transition from fused to unfused, is            approximately 1.5 cm. A representative length, measured on            the sepal from the free point to the fused point is            approximately 3.9 cm. Color: Upper surface: Close to 146A.            Lower surface: Close to 147A. Both upper and lower sepal            surfaces glabrous.        -   Epicalyx.—5-7, most commonly 6 sepals; more green than 147A.            Both surfaces glabrous. Length of 1.9 cm on a fully opened            bloom.        -   Peduncle.—Length: 3.5 cm. Angle: approximately 30-35 degrees            from vertical. Strength: Strong, flexible. Texture: smooth.            Typical peduncle diameter: 0.2 to 0.3 cm. Typical peduncle            color: Slightly darker than 146A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen number:            approximately 100. Anther shape: crescent. Anther color: 8D.            Amount of pollen: moderate. Pollen color: 21D. Typical            filament length: approximately 3 mm-4 mm. Typical filament            color: 164D. Typical anther length, including filament, upon            dehiscence: 4 to 5 mm. Gynoecium: Typical ovary color: 150C.            Pistil number: 1. Pistil length (from base of ovaries to top            of stigma): 9.8 cm. Style length (from base of ovaries to            stigma branching point): 10.6 cm. Stigma length: 1.6 cm.            Style diameter, at base: 1.0 cm. Style color: Base: 46A.            Midsection: 50A. Apex: 8D. Stimga number: 5. Stigma color:            25D.

It should be noted that the dimensions of a Hibiscus blossom generallychange not only during bud development, but also during opening, as wellas during the life of the opened flower. For instance, upon opening, thepetals generally gain in length. Double varieties gain significant massduring opening. Furthermore, after opening, the pistil continues to growin length while the anther filaments which hold the pollen sacs increasein length, the pollen sacs open and the stigmas separate, each at thetip of a branched style structure. Toward the end of the flower life,possibly due to a reduction in turgor pressure, the pistil may shrink inlength and the petals may slightly decrease in area. Usually, thesenescing petals of the flower fold toward the pistil to some degree, insome cases, completely enfolding it.

‘DUP-HCHP’ is known to occasionally bloom semi-double.

Seeds are not typically produced and are unlikely to be observed undermost growing conditions.

-   -   -   Disease resistance.—‘DUP-HCHP’ has not been observed to be            resistant to pathogens common in Hibiscus. However, it has            been observed in the green house to have a higher resistance            to root rot than that of many existing hybrid varieties            grown on their own roots known to the Inventor.

If desired, and if a the risk of virus infection is of no concern, thepresent variety can be grafted onto a rootstock and be grown as agrafted plant.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-HCHP’, asillustrated and described.